Jan's interests in electricity and radio were supported by parental interest, but his research on black-powder rockets was gradually replaced by social activities such as scouts and a church youth group.

Wisps of black-powder smoke floated in the air, mingling oddly with the scent of roasting fish, and I thought for an instant that I might throw up, but managed despite my nausea to set down the fowling piece for a moment and bar the door, my hands shaking so that it took several tries.